Hello my darling dears! It's Emma, your tutu-loving time traveller, here for another dazzling #TutuTuesday delve into the world of ballet history! I just adore hopping on the train to explore past decades - especially when it comes to those gorgeous, flowing tulle creations that we call tutus.
Today, my time-travelling togs have me landed in the heart of Paris, 1869, the very epicentre of fashion and grace. Think opulent salons, swirling waltz tunes, and those fabulous frocks that cinched in every ladyâs waist and gave them a fluttery, feminine silhouette.
Why Paris? Well, darlings, this is where the tutu really came into its own. The Romantic Era, a period in ballet history roughly from the 1830s to 1870s, was the time when ballerinas started really making tutus their own. Remember those heavy, elaborate costumes of the 18th and early 19th century? Forget those - the Romantic Era was about airy, ethereal grace, and what could be more graceful and airy than a billowing tutu?
Today's date - 1869-08-17 - sees the beginning of Les Choristes at the ThĂ©Ăątre ImpĂ©rial de l'OpĂ©ra, an important event for dance history. While I don't want to give away any spoilers, let's just say that this performance had an undeniable influence on how ballet was performed and, more importantly, what dancers wore on stage. The story involves the magical world of fairies, with ethereal and mysterious movements. It's precisely this magical charm that I feel a tutu can enhance, donât you think?
Tutuland Evolution
Now, darling, a little trip back in time - pre-1869, and you'd likely have seen the dancers wearing more practical "romantic" style skirts, rather than the modern-day tutu. These "skirts" were often tiered, gathered at the waist, and had a very airy, graceful appearance - but still not what we'd think of as a classic tutu!
Then along came Marius Petipa, a big name in ballet, and a real champion of the tutu as we know it. Petipa started using what are now called "classical" tutus, much like those used by ballerinas like Anna Pavlova and Olga Spessivtseva. It was all about the volume and the movement, with layers upon layers of tulle billowing out from the waist. These tutus helped to create that sense of airiness and light as ballerinas danced and jumped, captivating audiences worldwide. It's safe to say that these âclassicalâ tutus made history, donât you think?
Let's just pause for a moment to think about how fabulous these designs were. We have a very special occasion coming up, and I think it's the perfect time for some #TutuInspiration: the wedding of Prince Louis of Battenberg and Princess Victoria of Hesse-Darmstadt on 23 February, 1869. I love the opulence and charm of 19th century royal weddings. Why not make a tutu inspired by the Princessâs gown! This might mean sparkling tulle, delicate floral embellishments, or even a tulle head dress. Be sure to share your designs with me, darlings, Iâd love to see them!
Now, imagine these stunningly elegant tutus worn by the ballerinas as they glide and leap, their gowns flowing around them, a sight to behold, an experience to remember! They were like living, dancing sculptures, embodying the very essence of grace and beauty, and they did it in that lovely billowing tutu that just captivated everyone!
So, let's all embrace our inner ballet stars, embrace the magical world of the tutu, and dream of our own ethereal performances - whether that's a whimsical twirl in the garden, a graceful ballet class, or a delightful theatrical show. I truly believe that *every girl deserves her moment on a stage, in a tutu, and the beauty of the 1860s gives us the perfect inspiration. *
And, darlings, as we head into a brand new week, don't forget to get your pink tutu on - wear it with confidence, wear it with pride! The power of the pink tutu? Well, it's like the power of ballet, it just fills the world with more grace, more beauty, and more joy. I'll catch you all next Tuesday for another tutu-licious history adventure!
Till then, twirl on !
Emma
*P.S. * This TutuTuesday, why not look up the history of ballet performances in Paris between 1830s-1870s! There are so many amazing stories to tell!
